Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Including Hot Springs

This is an ideal way to reach Machu Picchu if you want more than a day trip. The Lares trek takes you past remote villages, glacial lakes, and a big high pass before you end at the ruins with a private guided tour of Machu Picchu. It also has a very human payoff, an open-air thermal soak near Lares to reset your legs.

Two things I like a lot. First, you get help carrying the heavy stuff. Horsemen and mules take most camping gear and your personal items up to 7 kilos, so you can focus on walking. Second, the day structure is practical: you trek, camp, train to Aguas Calientes, then do Machu Picchu with time to explore on your own after the guide.

One consideration: this is not a casual stroll. You summit the Pachacutec Pass at 4,758 m and you camp near 4,550 m, so strong fitness matters, and weather can affect the experience.

Key things to know before you go

Small group size (max 8) means less waiting and more flexibility with different walking speeds.

High-altitude hiking with real payoffs includes Pachacutec Pass and views down toward Pachacutec Lake and Pitusiray.

Hot springs timing is built into Day 3 so you get a true recovery moment before the travel day to Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu is guided, then free time follows so you can both learn and take your own photos at your pace.

Huayna Picchu is optional but time-sensitive and must be booked in advance (only 400 hikers per day).

Safety and comfort basics are covered with an oxygen-equipped first-aid kit, boiled water to refill bottles, tents with foam mattresses, and a real hotel night.

Why the Lares Trail feels more personal on the way to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the headline. But what makes this trip worthwhile is the approach. The Lares route gives you days of walking through quieter Andean valleys, small communities, waterfalls, and glacial lake basins. Instead of just arriving and posing, you earn the view.

I also like that the trip is designed for real bodies, not just great photos. You have guided trekking days with clear hiking times, and the itinerary deliberately breaks the journey into manageable segments. Day 1 is uphill and parallel to the Cancha Cancha River. Day 2 climbs to a named pass, then descends into a secluded corrie of glacial lakes. Day 3 shifts from hiking to soaking and then travel to the train town.

There’s also a “less stress” factor in the logistics. You start with a pickup at 6:00 am, private transport to the trailhead, and a plan that uses trains at the right moment so you do not waste energy on long road segments. A guide team and cook handle the moving parts. In the reviews you can see this shows up as better pacing and steadier energy, including guides like Adner and Wilber being highlighted for history, culture, and managing different hiking speeds.

The 4-day flow: what your body does each day

This is a 4-day, 3-night program from Cusco to Machu Picchu, with one key recovery element built in.

• Day 1: about 6 hours walking, reaching Cancha Cancha (3,800 m) for your first night.
• Day 2: about 7 hours walking, over Pachacutec Pass (4,758 m), then to a lake area near Quisuarani (3,700 m) for camping. You’ll reach up to about 4,550 m.
• Day 3: shorter walking, with the thermal springs soak before you continue down to Lares town, then bus to Ollantaytambo, dinner, and train to Aguas Calientes.
• Day 4: bus to Machu Picchu, guided ruins tour, then option for Huayna Picchu or Sun Gate style exploration, followed by train back and private bus to Cusco.

If you’re used to lower elevation trekking, plan on taking the climb seriously. Even if you feel fine on day one, day two’s altitude is the real test. That is also why having a guide, first-aid kit with emergency oxygen, and a horse option for an emergency is not a gimmick. It changes how safe and calm you can feel.

Day 1: Cusco pickup, Sacred Valley transfer, and uphill to Cancha Cancha

Your day starts early, with pickup at 6:00 am. From there you travel by private bus to Pumahuanca (2,840 m) in the Sacred Valley, described as between Pisac and Urubamba. This is your transition into the trek world, before you meet the horsemen and start moving.

The hike begins at Huaran, going north on an uphill trail that runs parallel to the small Cancha Cancha River. After about 4 hours, you reach Cancha Cancha (3,800 m), the small village where you sleep. Total walking time for the day is listed as about 6 hours.

What I like about this first day is the “warm-up” logic. You are hiking uphill early, but the distance and schedule set you up for adapting to altitude without jumping straight to the highest pass. If you pace yourself, day one usually feels like a steady climb rather than a panic session.

Practical tip: keep a day pack with what you’ll need immediately. Your main luggage is stored in Cusco and you get a small duffel bag to pack for about 3 to 4 days, carried by the team ahead of you. You will not access those items during the trek day, so your essentials need to be on you.

Day 2: Pachacutec Pass, glacial lake views, and the Quisuarani camp night

Day 2 is the big one. You leave Cancha Cancha and head east up the valley. The schedule has you hiking about 3 hours when the path flattens, then climbing for about 2 hours to reach Pachacutec Pass (4,758 m).

From the pass, you get the kind of altitude reward you remember. The route is described as offering amazing views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray. That is followed by another hour of hiking to a narrow ridge, then a descent into a secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes.

Lunch happens here in that lakeside setting before you continue onward past waterfalls to the village of Quisuarani (3,700 m). You camp by the lake for the night. Total walking time is about 7 hours, and the day includes reaching about 4,550 m (15,017 feet).

This is where the trip earns its reputation for real scenery. There’s a change in tone after the pass: you go from exposure and elevation to a more hidden valley world with water and lakes. It feels like you are stepping into another pocket of the Andes.

Food during this day should not be an afterthought. The cook is preparing meals in camp, and the schedule includes breakfast items like omelettes or pancakes, mid-morning fruit or chocolate snack packs, and a lunch built around soup plus meat with pasta or rice. Reviews also highlight that the food holds up well even when prepared in a tent, which matters because a high pass day needs fuel.

Day 3: Lares thermal springs, lunch in town, and the train transition to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 moves from high-altitude hiking toward recovery and the Machu Picchu logistics that make the next day easier.

You hike for about one hour, then follow the river valley downhill for about 3.5 hours toward Lares town. Before you arrive, you get an open-air soak in the thermal springs. Bring a swimsuit.

Then you reach Lares (3,100 m) and have lunch at 1:00 pm. After lunch, you take the bus to Ollantaytambo, where you can rest, have dinner, and then take the train to Aguas Calientes. You sleep in a hotel there.

This is the day I’d call the mental reset. The springs help your body feel less like a collection of sore parts, and the downhill and travel shift your pace from “push through” to “regain your stride.” It also sets you up for Machu Picchu morning, since you’re not doing a long, stressful road transfer right before the ruins.

One more practical note from how the trip is set: your duffel bag and porter-carrying system means you should pack your camera and sunscreen for the day you’ll need them. The main gear stays with the team. You won’t have to manage it, but you do need to plan around when you can access it.

Day 4: Guided Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu timing built in

After early breakfast, you take a bus to Machu Picchu. Then you do a private guided tour of the ruins. After that guided time, you get plenty of room to explore on your own and take photos.

You also have the optional choice to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain. This is not included in the base choice automatically. You must book it at the same time as your trek or tour, because only 400 people can hike it per day. The schedule notes you will climb Huayna Picchu on your own after the tour, around 10:00 am. If you don’t do Huayna Picchu, you can head up toward Sun Gate instead.

In the afternoon, the day shifts back to travel. You take the bus up to the Aguas Calientes area for your next connection, then the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, you take a private bus back to Cusco.

What I like about the guided then free flow is that it protects you from getting lost in your own excitement. You learn what you’re seeing, then you can re-walk the places you care about most, especially for photos. Many people rush Machu Picchu by trying to do everything at once. This structure tends to feel calmer.

Camp sleep, food, and the little comfort wins that matter

This trip is a mix of camping and one real hotel night. That’s a good balance if you want the trekking experience without sacrificing comfort at the finish line.

For camping nights (Day 1 and Day 2), you use 4-person igloo tents for two trekkers, with a foam mattress and camping pillow. Meals are prepared by the cook with equipment and a kitchen tent. The day food plan is specific, and it’s built for trekking energy.

Expect:

• Breakfast with options like omelettes or pancakes
• Mid-morning snack packs with fruit or chocolate
• Lunch as a two-course meal, typically soup plus meat with pasta or rice
• Afternoon tea on arrival at camp, with biscuits and popcorn
• Three-course dinner in camp

You also get thoughtful support items. You’ll get rain poncho, boiled water to refill bottles, and a first-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank. There’s also a provision of a horse in case of emergency, with a helmet.

On Day 3 night at the end of the travel, you stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes with a private room and private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, storage, and buffet breakfast. In other words, you do not camp your way through the last chapter.

One real-world note from the reviews: people mention how logistics feel smoother with transportation included and a staff team that handles the moving parts. That shows up as fewer surprises, like getting supported if something out of the company’s control happens. One review cited a local strike causing train timing changes, and the team helped with a later train. It’s a reminder to keep a little breathing room at the end of your Peru trip.

Price and logistics: what you pay for in a way that feels fair

At $702.57 per person, you’re paying for a full package that is more than just the hiking portion. If you compare this to piecing things together yourself, the value is in how much is already handled for you.

Included items that drive the value:

• Licensed guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua
• Pretrek briefing
• Private transportation from your Cusco hotel area to the trailhead at Huaran
• Train tickets both ways: Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom, plus breakfast
• Tents, foam mattress, and camping pillow
• Chef and full cooking setup, plus the cook team
• Horsemen and mules to carry food and camping equipment, and your personal items up to 7 kilos
• Emergency support gear, including oxygen in the first-aid kit
• Boiled water to refill bottles
• Private guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Transfer back to Cusco
• Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
• Rain poncho

Not included (worth planning for):

• Energy snacks like chocolate bars and dried fruit
• Last lunch and dinner on Day 4

For me, the fair-price signal is that the package includes both the trekking operations and the Machu Picchu day guide, plus the train legs. That combination is usually where DIY trips get messy fast.

Also note the group size: maximum 8 travelers. For a trek, that’s the sweet spot. You get a guided experience without the feeling of being packed into a long line.

Who should book this Lares to Machu Picchu trek

This trip fits best if you:

• Want a high-altitude trek experience with real payoff days, not just a transport-heavy sightseeing route
• Prefer a guided plan with small-group support and clear structure
• Like the idea of camping nights, but still want one good hotel night with hot shower and private bathroom
• Are excited by Machu Picchu but also want to earn it through the journey

It is not ideal if you:

• Have trouble with altitude or do not feel comfortable with a day that reaches about 4,550 m
• Want purely flat walking days
• Need Huayna Picchu to be handled for you without advance booking, because Huayna Picchu has strict limits and you must arrange it at the same time as your trek or tour

Should you book Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N with Hot Springs?

If your goal is Machu Picchu plus a serious Andean trek, I think this is a strong yes. The combination of the Lares route, the Pachacutec Pass day, and the thermal springs soak creates a journey that feels earned, not rushed. Add in the small-group size, the included trains, and the hotel comfort in Aguas Calientes, and it becomes a practical way to experience the route without drowning in logistics.

I’d only hesitate if you know altitude hits you hard, or if you are traveling with a tight schedule at the end of your trip. Even when everything is planned, real-world disruptions like train delays can happen, and the trip is better when you give yourself some buffer.

If you’re ready to work a bit for views and you want your Machu Picchu day to be guided and organized, book it.

FAQ

What time does pickup start?

Pickup is at 6:00 am, and you travel by private bus to the trail head area before beginning the trek.

How many days do you hike, and about how long are the walking days?

You hike on Day 1 for about 6 hours, on Day 2 for about 7 hours, and on Day 3 for a shorter schedule (about 1 hour uphill plus about 3.5 hours downhill, before arriving for lunch).

Do I get to soak in hot springs during the trek?

Yes. On Day 3 you have time to enjoy an open-air thermal springs soak before reaching Lares. Bring a swimsuit.

What is the sleeping setup during the trek and at Aguas Calientes?

During the trek nights you sleep in 4-person igloo tents set up for two trekkers, with a foam mattress and camping pillow. On the night in Aguas Calientes you stay in a hotel with a private room and private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, and breakfast.

How much luggage can be carried for me on the trek?

Your main luggage stays in Cusco. You pack a small duffel for about 3 to 4 days. Horsemen and mules carry camping equipment and your personal items up to 7 kilos. You should carry a day pack with essentials since you will not access the duffel during the trek day.

Is Huayna Picchu included, and do I need to book it in advance?

Huayna Picchu is optional. You must book it in advance at the same time as your Machu Picchu tour, since only 400 people can hike it per day. You climb it on your own after the guided Machu Picchu tour, around 10:00 am.